Answer:
D) the principles of American government were above party politics.
Explanation:
By using this phrase, Thomas Jefferson wanted to convey the idea that Americans should feel a sense of unity and companionship towards their fellow Americans regardless of whether these were Democrats or Republicans. Jefferson believed that the sense of unity in politics came from the principles of the American government, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, democratic processes and the rule of law, and that these should come before any division due to party politics.